How to Create a Read-Along Video for Your Children’s Book

Introduction

Transforming your children’s book into a captivating read-along video is a powerful way to expand your brand, engage young readers, and generate new revenue streams. In this step-by-step guide, I share the process of creating a professional-quality read-along video for my children’s book, The Accent, using free tools like DaVinci Resolve and Descript. From organizing assets to adding seamless transition effects and text highlights, learn how to repurpose your book into a dynamic video that enhances both storytelling and learning experiences for children. Below, I’ll take you through the step-by-step process of transforming your children’s book into an engaging read-along video.

Step 1: Preparing Your Assets

Before jumping into video creation, it’s crucial to organize your assets properly. I started by setting up folders on my computer for the following elements:

  • Audio Clips: The narration for The Accent features my voice as the lead narrator alongside 3 others – Kathryn, Fifi and Deola – with whom I worked to make the voiceover as authentic as I could make it in keeping with the theme of the story. Keeping audio files well-organized helps streamline the editing process.
  • Images: Since the video is in HD (1920×1080 pixels), I used Adobe Photoshop to resize the original story illustrations to the exact dimensions.
  • Sound Effects and Script: Optional sound effects to enhance the video’s storytelling. The script serves as a reference for comparing the text highlights after it’s auto-generated.

Organizing these assets will save you time and reduce errors when editing.

Step 2: Video Creation with DaVinci Resolve

To create the video, I chose DaVinci Resolve, a powerful and free video editing software that offers professional-grade tools for editing, colour correction, audio post-production, and more. It’s like combining the features of Adobe After Effects, Premiere, and Audition into one application.

Step-by-Step Video Creation

  1. Create a new project: Name it appropriately, e.g., The Accent Read-Along Video.
  2. Organize your assets: Create bins for images and audio files and import them.
  3. Set up the timeline: Drag the audio files first, as they will dictate the length of the corresponding images.
  4. Add images to the timeline: Match the length of each image with the related audio clip.
  5. Sound effects: Optionally, you may want to add in sound effects at this point. To do that, simply drag them into the appropriate sections in the timeline. Use a different layer underneath the main narration.

By following these steps, you’ll establish the foundation for your read-along video.

Step 3: Adding Transition Effects for Smooth Video Flow

One of the key elements of a professional read-along video is smooth transitions between scenes. Abrupt cuts can disrupt the viewer’s experience, so adding transition effects is essential.

Adding Transitions in DaVinci Resolve

  1. Switch to the effects tab: Preview different transition options by hovering over them.
  2. Apply the transition effect: I personally prefer the Dip to Color Dissolve effect as it provides a smooth fade-to-black transition.
  3. Ensure seamless transitions: Make sure the scenes join correctly by dragging them to touch and applying the transition effect again if needed.

Transition effects not only improve the video’s flow but also add a professional touch to your project.

Step 4: Exporting the Video

With the audio, images and transition effects in place, test to ensure everything’s looking good. This is the foundational video that’ll be used in the next phase, so make as many changes here if you need to. Next, we’ll export the video for use in the next step. 

Exporting Your Video in Davinci Resolve

  1. Select the deliver tab: Choose the YouTube 1080 format to ensure optimal resolution.
  2. Name your file: Something clear and relevant, such as The Accent Read-Along Video.
  3. Render the video: Once the video is rendered, save it to your desired location and test the playback.

Step 5: Text Highlighting with Descript Software

To add text highlights that synchronize with the narration, I used Descript, a powerful tool that allows you to edit videos as easily as editing a Word document. Descript simplifies the process of adding classic karaoke-style captions that highlight the text as it is spoken.

How to Use Descript for Read-Along Videos

  1. Create a new project: Import the video file exported from DaVinci Resolve (Step 4).
  2. Automatic transcription: Descript will transcribe the audio automatically. Once done, use your original script (Step 1) to compare it with the transcript for accuracy. You can easily make changes to the text where required.
  3. Add Captions: Use the Classic Karaoke style to highlight text in sync with the narration.

Descript’s intuitive interface makes it easy to refine the captions and ensure a polished final product.

Step 6: Finalizing and Exporting the Read-Along Video

With the video and text highlights ready, the last step is to export your video in HD format and test it thoroughly.

Publishing your video in Descript

  1. Select the publish button: Click the Publish button at the top right corner.
  2. Render the video: Name your file and check the Resolution is set to Max (1080p) then click the download icon. Since we’re saving it locally to our PC, you’ll need to select a location. Descript will render the video and afterwards, download it to your PC.
  3. Test the final video: Play the final video to ensure that all transitions, audio sync, and text highlights function as expected.

Next Steps

At the point, your video is ready to be shared however you chose. I uploaded mine to YouTube (Click here to watch it) and shared the link with existing customers who already purchased my book. This gives my readers more value as well as offers more visibility to my book for the general public who’ve yet to know about it.

Conclusion

Creating a read-along video for your children’s book is not only a creative way to repurpose your book but also an effective method to engage your audience and boost your brand. By using tools like DaVinci Resolve and Descript, you can produce a professional-grade video without breaking the bank.

If you found this post helpful, feel free to share it with other children’s book authors.

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What is a Story-based Game App?

For children’s book authors looking to expand their product pipeline, a Story-based Game App offers an exciting opportunity to repurpose existing content into an engaging digital experience. In this guide, I break down everything you need to know about Story-based Game Apps, from what they are and how they differ from traditional apps, to the distribution channels available and ways to monetize your app. Whether you’re considering expanding beyond print or exploring new revenue streams, this comprehensive piece sheds light on how to make the most of your book’s assets by turning them into dynamic, interactive apps for kids.